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Weather & Climate in El Descanso, Mexico
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
El Descanso enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 56°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / relatively mild seasonal variation. The area gets 315 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 11.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The city sits at an elevation of 72 feet.
Temperature
56°F Jan (13°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 62.5°F |
| 16% above US avg | |
| January Average | 56°F (13°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 315 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 72 ft (22 m) |
| Area | 371.6 sq mi (962.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 2/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 32.2046°N, 116.9030°W |
| Timezone | America/Tijuana |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
7,059 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M5.7.
| Jun 15, 2010 | 8km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.7 | 108 km | 9 km |
| Feb 22, 2002 | 13km WSW of Delta, B.C., MX | M5.7 | 149 km | 7 km |
| Jul 7, 2010 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.4 | 141 km | 12 km |
| Dec 3, 1991 | 71km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 113 km | 6 km |
| Mar 23, 1994 | 35km E of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2010 | 15km SSW of Progreso, B.C., MX | M5.3 | 123 km | 10 km |
| Apr 14, 2025 | 5 km S of Julian, CA | M5.2 | 97 km | 14 km |
| Jun 10, 2016 | 20km NNW of Borrego Springs, CA | M5.2 | 143 km | 12 km |
| Oct 31, 2001 | 16km ESE of Anza, CA | M5.0 | 149 km | 14 km |
| Feb 7, 2003 | 74km SSW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX | M5.0 | 146 km | 8 km |
| Jun 15, 2004 | 67km SE of San Clemente Is. (SE tip), CA | M5.0 | 96 km | 10 km |
| Apr 5, 2010 | 20km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M5.0 | 114 km | 1 km |
| Apr 5, 2010 | 19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M4.9 | 115 km | 14 km |
| May 22, 2010 | 17km WNW of Progreso, B.C., MX | M4.9 | 117 km | 8 km |
| Feb 9, 2015 | 87km ESE of Maneadero, B.C., MX | M4.9 | 139 km | 13 km |
| Jul 26, 1997 | 16km N of Borrego Springs, California | M4.9 | 142 km | 11 km |
| Apr 4, 2020 | 17km ESE of Anza, CA | M4.9 | 148 km | 10 km |
| Feb 18, 1998 | 70km SW of Alberto Oviedo Mota, B.C., MX | M4.9 | 119 km | 6 km |
| Feb 12, 2024 | 3 km NNW of El Centro, CA | M4.8 | 142 km | 18 km |
| May 8, 2010 | 19km ESE of Ocotillo, CA | M4.8 | 117 km | 6 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 1.2 m (4 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1862 | S. CALIFORNIA | Eruption + Earthquake | 1.2 m | — | 62 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Nearby Volcanoes
1 volcano within 200 km. Closest: Salton Buttes (163 km).
| Name | Type | Elevation | Last Eruption | Distance |
| Salton Buttes | Lava dome(s) | -40 m (-131 ft) | 210 | 163 km |
Source: Smithsonian Institution Global Volcanism Program (GVP).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CEDAR (268,362 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | CEDAR | 268,362 | 83 km |
| 2007 | WITCH | 167,551 | 98 km |
| 2007 | HARRIS | 90,443 | 51 km |
| 2003 | MINE/OTAY | 37,232 | 47 km |
| 2006 | HORSE | 16,659 | 63 km |
| 2020 | VALLEY | 16,517 | 63 km |
| 1996 | OTAY 322 | 12,238 | 43 km |
| 2001 | VIEJAS | 10,942 | 68 km |
| 1995 | SYCAMORE | 9,626 | 48 km |
| 1995 | EL MONTE | 8,482 | 80 km |
| 2016 | BORDER 3 | 7,958 | 55 km |
| 1985 | MILLER | 7,809 | 55 km |
| 2013 | CHARIOT | 7,250 | 91 km |
| 1995 | BUTTERFIELD | 7,165 | 93 km |
| 1993 | EAGLE | 5,784 | 88 km |
| 2021 | SOUTHERN | 5,525 | 96 km |
| 2012 | BORDER 6 | 5,301 | 73 km |
| 2007 | INKOPAH | 5,037 | 91 km |
| 1989 | THING 2 | 4,650 | 87 km |
| 1999 | LAGUNA 100 | 4,586 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 56°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | Coldest |
| February | 56°F (13°C) | 2.3 in | Wettest |
| March | 56°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 59°F (15°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 62°F (16°C) | 0.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 0.0 in | Driest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 0.0 in | |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 0.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 71°F (21°C) | 0.2 in | |
| October | 66°F (19°C) | 0.5 in | |
| November | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 56°F (13°C) | 1.7 in |
El Descanso has a seasonal temperature swing of 16°F / from 56°F in January to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 11.7 inches, with February being the wettest month (2.3") and June the driest (0.0").